San Diego mental health advisors issue tips for parents in light of today’s tragic shootings at elementary school in Connecticut

From San Diego County Reports

Given the school shooting in Connecticut today, Dec. 14, parents may be facing questions from their children about the tragedy. San Diego County mental health experts  Alfredo Aguirre (Director of County Behavioral Health Services) and Piedad Garcia (Assistant deputy director of County Behavioral Health Services) had this advice for parents issued via a press release:

“Incidents like this can generate a lot of fear and anxiety that can last a few days or weeks. That’s why it’s important for parents to be aware of their children’s response and be ready to talk openly about it, without providing too many details. Parents should control the amount of information children have access to and answer their questions simply without dramatizing the incident,” said Aguirre.  “This helps to diminish fear and anxiety in children.”

The County operates the Access and Crisis Line seven days a week, 24 hours a day, where people can get help for issues such as depression, anxiety, anger, or other mental health challenges. The number is (888) 724-7240.

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Posted by Staff on Dec 14, 2012. Filed under La Jolla, News, Schools. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry